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The Sturdy family are waiting to hear the outcome of an appeal hearing which could result in around half of their arable farm being taken out of production for a solar farm. The Sturdy family's landlord is the FitzWilliam Trust Corporation. Ms Sturdy has claimed that one of its six trustees, Lady Helena Rees-Mogg, is the wife of Sir Jacob

It follows a decision made by an inspector in relation to a planning appeal from a developer which had been refused consent for a solar farm on land in Somerset

Arla Food's UK agricultural director Paul Dover said with Government backing, 'our farmers who work tirelessly to produce our food, can also help secure the future of our energy'

The Scottish farming Union said the deal could provide farmers and crofters with an additional income stream for farmers and crofters

This week's letters from ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian readers

The Sturdy family, who are tenant farmers from Yorkshire said their ‘heart sank' after being told an appeal had been lodged against a decision to block a solar farm being developed on half of their farm

The increase in funding for farm productivity from 40 to 50 per cent, on top of the extra money available for solar panels, means the Improving Productivity Grant is likely to be even more popular among farmers this time around

Solar developers have been criticised by many in the industry for adopting an opportunistic approach to obtain tenanted land where a ‘cheap grid connection' could be sourced

South Derbyshire farm campaigners hail Lullington Solar Park decision 'a win for local democracy'

This week's ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian features Derbyshire tenant farmer Andrew Dakin who has launched a campaign to save Kidsley Park Farm from being 'lost forever' for a solar panel development